Q. How do members access the
Travel Assist Service?
A. Members simply call a toll-free phone number to
access the Worldwide Travel Assistance Network. If a
toll-free number is not available from within a country to
which the member is traveling, they can call Travel
Assistance collect. The telephone access numbers are printed
in the members fulfillment kit and on the membership card.
Q. When do members
utilize the services?
A. Travel Assistance is available 24 hours a day,
every day of the year. Many times people are under the
impression that the services are used only in serious cases.
Be assured that Travel Assistance is there to help with any
type of illness or injury, regardless of the severity.
Q. Is there a part of the
world where Travel Assistance cannot provide services?
A. No. Travel Assistance services extend worldwide.
Q. How many cases does
Travel Assistance handle a year?
A. Travel Assistance manages approximately 30,000
cases per year in virtually every country of the world; of
which, approximately one half are emergency medical cases.
Q. How does Travel
Assistance help locate appropriate medical care?
A. Travel Assistance has a global network of over
40,000 international providers. The network contains
hospitals, clinics and physicians, as well as other providers
geared uniquely to the travel insurance industry, such as air
ambulances, house call physicians and medical escorts. Travel
Assistance has rigorous credentialing and recredentialing
standards. Travel Assistance members are provided referrals
based on the medical specialty needed, location, language,
office hours, training, etc.
Q. Does Travel Assistance
require that members go to specific hospitals, doctors, or
clinics?
A. In order to reap the full benefits of our service,
we strongly recommend that members contact Travel Assist
before entering hospitals so that we can refer them to
facilities that we have previously worked with. Travel
Assistance refers its members to the best providers in the
area. If our members go to other providers, Travel Assistance
cannot be certain of the level of treatment. However, Travel
Assistance will provide the same assistance services
regardless of where the members are treated.
Q. What happens in the
event of a hospitalization?
A. It is important that Travel Assistance is notified
as soon as possible. Travel Assistance will then monitor the
members care and work through the complex details of foreign
hospitalizations. Travel Assistance will immediately speak
with the treating doctor to assess the members condition,
treatment plans and whether or not an evacuation is
necessary. Travel Assistance will update members family,
employer and personal physician as appropriate. In addition,
Travel Assistance will coordinate all insurance verifications
and admission details.
Q. How does Travel
Assistance facilitate hospital admissions?
A. Travel Assistance will coordinate all billing and
insurance verifications, including settling any guarantees of
payment. This ensures that there is no delay or denial of
medical treatment because a member is unable to make the
up-front payment or because a member's insurance is not
recognized.
Q. What if the local
facilities are not capable of providing treatment?
A. In evaluating the local facilities, Travel
Assistance considers such factors as the quality of the blood
supply, medical technology and specialties available, use of
sterile equipment and the patient's medical requirements. If
facilities are inadequate, the Travel Assistance Regional
Medical Advisor will report on the safety of such and
evacuation, any medical needs the patient may require en
route and the evacuation plan details. Travel Assistance will
consult with all parties involved and fully manage the issues
surrounding the evacuation.
Q. Once a member is
released from the hospital, do the services end?
A. Travel Assistance assists with a member's case
until they have returned home or have received final
treatment.
Payment must be made
at the time of service in order to receive a discount.
* Travel Assist not
available to Florida, Connecticut, and Washington residents.
